If you get excited by the natural world, then you’ll love this book, writes Sarah Whittley. Norfolk-based Patrick Barkham has been writing about nature for the Guardian for 20 years; Wild Green Wonders is a collection of these writings, if you like, it’s his Greatest Hits.

I love reading books about nature and used to struggle to find something new to read; not so anymore, over recent years this genre has become increasingly popular and it’s not surprising when you come across books like this – it’s utterly compelling and fascinating. 

Thousands of incendiaries and numerous high explosive bombs were dropped on Norwich during two nights in April 1942 as part of the ‘Baedeker Blitz’ that year, which saw the Nazis target five historic English cities. 

To mark the 80^th anniversary, this local historian has discovered previously untold stories and unpublished photographs of Norwich in wartime for this comprehensive account of life and events in the city from 1938 to 1945, richly illustrated with interviews, memoirs, maps and photographs. 

Written some time ago before her death last year, this is Lucinda Riley’s only crime novel, says Bridget Steele. The story starts in a small, exclusive private boarding school in Norfolk where we learn of the death of a pupil. Whilst the head teacher is keen for the death to be seen as a tragic accident, the police investigation begins, and further events unfold leaving plenty of suspense with twists and turns.  Like all Lucinda Riley’s books, this is a page-turner; rather than just concentrating on the horrific events taking place, which could have been just a horror story, we feel understanding and sympathy for the characters and their involvement in the turmoil at the school.

This new collection of short stories was written by local author, DJ Taylor, during the 2020 lockdown. Set in Norfolk, (and with a Norfolk publisher), it’s a fitting celebration of our county and its landscape, combined with a rich cast of characters, from long-time residents to those just passing through. We read of whole lives and snapshots of pivotal moments in this thought-provoking, powerful collection which takes the reader from Stiffkey to Norwich, Breckland to The Broads, in a book which the author describes, in part, as “a love-letter to the Great Eastern Land.”

This season, Heidi takes us back fictional Nightingale Square in Norwich, where we’re reunited with the community who’re welcoming new resident, Beth. She loves her job working in a local care home, and living in the square; but does she really hate music as much as she says? Past secrets and new friendships collide, in this lovely, summery read.

After their home in London is bombed in the early 1940s, Maddie takes her two daughters to live at Knyghton, a house in Norfolk belonging to her husband Philip’s family and is where he spent his childhood summers. But mysterious Knyghton harbours an unresolved secret about something which happened one of those summers long ago. Rachel Hore’s novels are always a pleasure to read, and this is no exception. 

Read Rachel’s account of writing One Moonlit Night during lockdown, here